How Xiplomacy pushes change in global governance

Two oceans, four continents, 60,000 km, 70 hours, over 100 events ... the numbers bear witness to Chinese President Xi Jinping's flights in less than a month's time, which took him to the Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

This is just one glimpse of Xi's packed diplomatic schedule this year featuring four major home-court events and multiple overseas visits, in which Xi's diplomatic visions, collectively known as Xiplomacy, are becoming increasingly understood and shared by other parts of the world.

FLAGSHIP VISION

On the sidelines of the just concluded G20 summit in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, Xi told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that he has long pondered how countries around the world can work together for shared benefits, achieve harmony in diversity and cooperate for win-win results. This has led to his proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Guterres said China has always adhered to a multilateral approach to global affairs, supported international cooperation in tackling climate change and other areas and played an exemplary role in implementing the Paris Agreement. The UN, Guterres added, acknowledges China's role in world affairs.

The brief interaction between Xi and the UN chief was a recognition of China as an enthusiastic supporter of global cooperation. Furthermore, it highlighted China's call for reforming existing international mechanisms for greater fairness and justice.

At the beginning of 2017, the Chinese president made a keynote speech at the UN Office at Geneva titled "Work together to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind," at a critical moment when global growth had been strained by unilateralism and protectionist policies.

Xi's remarks let the world know that China is willing to work with other countries to form a blueprint for the future, one based on cooperation.

Put into practice at various multilateral occasions over the past two years, the vision has gained wider international recognition and traction as a Chinese solution to cope with global challenges.

David Gosset, founder of the Europe-China Forum, said China has been pursuing the concept of "Datong," or "the world of great harmony," since ancient times, and the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind is a reinterpretation of "Datong" in the 21st century.

With China's continuous development, the idea -- doused in Chinese wisdom -- will definitely have a profound influence on the world, Gosset said.